THIS REPORT CONTAINS ASSESSMENTS OF COMMODITY AND TRADE ISSUES MADE BY

USDA STAFF AND NOT NECESSARILY STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT

POLICY

Date:

GAIN Report Number:

Approved By:

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Report Highlights:

The poultry sectors (chicken, turkey, and eggs) are pillars of animal protein production in Mexico.

Production of broiler meat is expected to continue to increase as vertical integration spurs improvements

in genetics and biosecurity. An increase in broiler meat consumption is being met by this production

growth, while imports stagnate in 2017. The poultry sector is also the primary consumer of feed grains

in Mexico, and feed comprises the largest percentage of production costs for both poultry meat and

eggs.

Gabriel Hernandez and Mary Rose Parrish

Lashonda McLeod

Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production

Poultry and Products Annual

Mexico

MX7034

9/20/2017

Required Report - public distribution

MX7034 Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production Page 2

Commodities:

Poultry, Meat, Broiler

Production

Vertical integration spurs improvements in genetics and biosecurity

The forecast for poultry production in 2018 is 3.5 million metric tons (MMT), up from 2017, as the

increasing vertical integration has spurred producers to improve genetics and biosecurity. This is

expected to drive production to exceed 2016 and 2017 levels. Thus, the sector expects to maintain

growth during the remainder of 2017 and in 2018. The 2017 estimate is adjusted to reflect this trend as

well as data from the National Poultry Association (UNA).

Mexico is working to prevent horizontal contamination

Despite no widespread outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) after the 2012 outbreak,

the industry remains concerned about the possibility of a new outbreak which has compelled the

implementation of stricter biosecurity measures overall.

Saturation in the poultry sector and the proximity of farms is one reason behind the spread of avian

influenza in several states (such as Jalisco). Some of the tools producers are using to combat

contamination are vaccines, the relocation of productive centers (progenitor farms) to neighboring states

with better natural conditions for biosecurity, and other on-farm tools.

As discussed in previous reports, other tools under development include an indemnification program, as

well as the creation of a National Poultry Research Center. Further, the Secretary of Agriculture

(SAGARPA) in Mexico and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) work closely on avian

influenza issues as the two countries share flyways.

The importance of genetics

Mexico continues sourcing 3-day old chicks, both for the meat supply and progenitors, from the United

States in large quantities given the limitations to domestically produce breeding stock. Three genetic

lines are predominant in Mexico – Ross, Cobb-Vantress, and Hubbard.

Poultry continues to dominates protein production

Based on production numbers from the Servicio de Información Estadistica Agricola y Pecuaria (SIAP),

and as previously reported, poultry and eggs account for more than 60 percent of livestock production in

Poultry, Eggs

Poultry, Meat, Turkey

Poultry, Meat, Broiler

MX7034 Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production Page 3

Mexico. Meat from broilers and spent hens alone accounted for a third of production.1 The states of

Veracruz, Queretaro, Jalisco and Aguascalientes led domestic broiler production during 2016.

Principal Chicken Producing States in Mexico in 2016

Source: UNA’s Compendio de Indicadores Económicos del Sector Avícola, 2017.

What goes into a chicken?

The poultry sector is the primary consumer of oilseed meals and forage grains for feed in Mexico. UNA

reports that feed represents 65 percent of the total cost of production of broiler meat. Ample feed grain

supplies and stable prices will continue to propel poultry production through the end of 2017 and into

2018.

1 These figures generally only consider commercial production. Backyard production for domestic consumption is

widespread throughout Mexico, making it difficult to quantify.

MX7034 Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production Page 4

Source: UNA’s Compendio de Indicadores Económicos del Sector Avícola, 2017.

Consumption

Devoted to broiler meat

Consumption of broiler meat is forecast up at 4.3 million tons for 2018, as poultry continues to be the

preferred and most affordable animal protein in Mexico for the low and mid-income population.

Source: Secretaria de Economia, National System of Information and Market Integration (SNIIM).

2 Based on carcass

weights.

According to industry sources, Mexicans will consume approximately 32 kilograms per capita in 2017

with an increase expected in 2018. Consumption figures for 2017 were revised downward (although

still reflecting year on year growth) due to reduced consumer purchasing power caused by inflation.

The year on year growth in 2017 consumption is being met almost entirely by increases in production,

while imports stagnate.

Trade

Imports up in 2018, flat for 2017

The forecast of imports for 2018 is up at 810,000 tons as growth in domestic production is not expected

to satisfy the demand of processors of value-added products. However, the forecast for 2017 was

2 http://www.economia-sniim.gob.mx/nuevo/

MX7034 Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production Page 5

adjusted down to be relatively flat as import numbers were lower during the January to July period as in

2016. This might be attributed to a disadvantageous exchange rate in the early part of the year, and

imports are expected to rebound in the second half as the peso has stabilized around 17-18 pesos to the

dollar. In recent years, imports have provided approximately 20 percent of the total supply, and this is

not expected to change.

Chicken leg quarters and mechanically deboned meat from the United States remain top imports as

inputs for value added products. For example, nuggets and wings, will be consumed mainly in the Hotel

and Restaurant Industry (HRI) sector.

As of June 2017, 91 percent of Mexican imports of broiler meat originated in the United States. In

2016, imports from the United States for the same period represented nearly 92 percent of market, 3

percent lower than the same period in 2015.

Brazil gaining share but sanitary issues are not paving the road

As previously reported, Brazil continues gaining minor market shares while Chilean imports have been

steady for the past five years. Under the tariff rate quota (TRQ), Brazil (which has at least 20 authorized

establishments for export to Mexico), is developing steady inroads in the frozen poultry products

market. However, Brazil it not likely to be significantly competitive in the Mexican market in the short

term, mainly due to sanitary issues following a meat scandal in early 2017. However, it is important to

note in the below chart how Brazil, has increased its share during the last three years, while Chilean

imports shows a stable trend.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) through Global Trade Atlas, 2017

Argentina current has a few authorized establishments with clear intentions to export, but to date in 2017

has not exported any product.

Exports are flat

The export forecast flat at is 6,000 metric tons in 2018. In 2018, Mexico will continue working to open

new market niches as well as to reopen traditional Asian markets that were closed due to the aftereffects

MX7034 Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production Page 6

of the 2012 HPAI outbreak. Additionally, despite a TRQ under the trade agreement between Mexico

and Japan, official figures are null.

Policy

Spring HPAI outbreak in the United States

On March 5, 2017, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the

presence of highly pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza in a commercial chicken breeder flock in Lincoln

County, Tennessee. In response, the Import and Export Directorate from the Animal Health General

Directorate’s National Service of Health, Food Safety, and Food Quality from the Secretariat of

Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishery and Food (SENASICA - SAGARPA), announced

trade restrictions for U.S. live poultry and poultry products from Lincoln County, Tennessee (See

MX7008).

Anti-Dumping NAFTA Panel complete and sunset review underway

Preface: It is important to note, that the anti-dumping duties claimed by Mexico in 2012 have not been

enforced as Mexico suffered from a HPAI outbreak, and imported products were needed to meet

domestic demand. See previous reports for further background.

On May 11, 2017, Mexico published in Mexico’s Federal Register (Diario Oficial de la

Federación/DOF) the “Final Decision of the Panel regarding the revision to the final resolution to the

antidumping investigation on imports of CLQs, merchandise classified in tariff codes 0207.13.03 and

0207.14.04 originating from the United States of America, independent of their country of origin.”

Through this publication, the NAFTA Binational Panel unanimously decided to confirm the content of

the Final Resolution issued and published by the Secretariat of Economy (SE) in the DOF on August 6,

2012. However, the Panel urged the Unidad de Practicas Comerciales Internacionales (UPCI), as the

Investigator Authority (IA) to revise the methodology used to calculate the duties.

On August 2, 2017, the Secretariat of Economy (SE) published in the DOF the resolution that declares

the initiation of the “sunset review” of the compensatory duties imposed on imports of CLQs originating

from the United States (despite never having been enforced). Interested parties showed their interest to

initiate the examination, and Economía determined July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 as the examination

period and July 2012 to June 30, 2017 as the analysis period.

TRQ to continue?

As previously reported, in early 2013, SE published a TRQ for 300,000 MT of poultry meat to be

imported duty-free from third countries without a Free Trade Agreement with Mexico. The TRQ was

extended twice, and currently is scheduled to end by December 2017 (see MX6003 and MX4016).

Industry continues to petition SE to suspend the duty-free TRQ. The TRQ is nowhere near filled.

MX7034 Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production Page 7

Production, Supply and Demand Data Statistics: Poultry, Meat, Broiler 2016 2017 2018

Market Begin Year Jan 2016 Jan 2017 Jan 2018

Mexico USDA Official New Post USDA Official New Post USDA Official New Post

Inventory (Reference) 0 0 0 0 0 0

Slaughter (Reference) 0 0 0 0 0 0

Beginning Stocks 0 0 0 0 0 0

Production 3285 3275 3384 3400 0 3500

Total Imports 791 791 825 795 0 810

Total Supply 4076 4066 4209 4195 0 4310

Total Exports 5 5 6 6 0 6

Human Consumption 4071 4061 4203 4189 0 4304

Other Use, Losses 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total Dom. Consumption 4071 4061 4203 4189 0 4304

Total Use 4076 4066 4209 4195 0 4310

Ending Stocks 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total Distribution 4076 4066 4209 4195 0 4310

(MIL HEAD) ,(1000 MT)

MX7034 Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production Page 8

Poultry, Meat, Turkey

Production

The turkey sector still struggling to replicate the broiler and egg success

The 2018 forecast for turkey production is slightly up from the 2017 figure at 14,000 metric tons. Even

though there are programs dedicated to rebuild turkey production, the sector has not yet been able to

replicate the broiler and egg success. Specifically the economic incentives to produce turkey are low,

there is a reduced number of producers, and Mexico is dependent on imports to meet demands.

Poultry Meat, Turkey

Post Estimates 2016 2017 2018

Production 13 13.5 14

Imports 160 165 170

Exports 1 1 1

Consumption 172 177.5 180

(1000 MT) Not official USDA Data, Post Estimates

A product of the south

Although the state of Chihuahua is the leader of turkey production in Mexico as per UNA data, the

majority of turkey production in Mexico takes place in southern states from the Yucatan to the State of

Mexico. These states serve principally local and regional markets with whole turkey, rather than the

mechanically separated meat demanded from food processors across Mexico. This is not expected to

change in the short term.

Currently, the predominant genetic line in commercial production of turkey in Mexico is Nicolas 700.

Consumption

Ample opportunity to increase consumption

As previously reported, turkey (particularly whole turkey), remains seasonal around traditional holiday

recipes and events, mirroring regional production in the south. However, daily consumption is on the

rise through processed products such as deli meat (particularly turkey ham), turkey bacon, and sausages,

in part due to perceived health benefits compared with red meat.

Overall, however, per capita consumption is much lower than other countries such as the United States.

There appears to be ample opportunity to increase consumption.

Trade

MX7034 Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production Page 9

Chile and Brazil – traditional competitors with U.S. turkey

The 2018 import forecast for turkey meat is set at 170,000 tons. As previously mentioned, domestic

production is not sufficient to cover demand, particularly of the processing sector. The forecast for 2017

was raised to 165,000 based on official data from January to June. Figures for the 2016 imports are kept

at 160,000 to reflect official data.

While Mexico is a traditional importer of turkey meat from the United States and Chile, Brazil has

recently made inroads into the supply of frozen turkey meat, particularly around the turn of year from

2016 to 2017. Imports from Brazil increased by more than 300 percent between the January to June

period in 2017, when compared with 2016. Chile, however saw a sharp decline during that period,

while the United States saw an increase of 15 percent continuing to rebound from HPAI. Overall, the

United States dominates the turkey market, providing around 94 percent of imported turkey meat in both

2016 and 2015.

Why the decline for Chile?

In short, Chilean imports are lowering back to traditional levels. During the 2015 HPAI outbreak in the

United States, Chile took advantage of the gap in imports.

Mexican exports to be flat

In 2018, Mexico’s exports are expected continue at the same levels as turkey production is not expected

to greatly increase. The United States is the primary export destination (94 percent in 2016), however,

in 2017, growth of exports to Japan has been seen (no exports to Japan were recorded in 2016).

Negligible amounts also go to Central American markets.

MX7034 Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production Page 10

Poultry, Eggs

Production

The forecast for 2018 is up to almost 2.9 million tons based on estimates from UNA (see below).

UNA’s data shows steady growth during the past three years. As previously reported, and in parallel

with the maneuvers that broiler producers are taking, egg farmers are expanding the production area

beyond the traditional states of Jalisco and Puebla. The sector is making inroads into northern states to

take advantage of natural biosecurity conditions (i.e. lower concentrations of farms and ranches, greater

distances between production facilities, etc.), as well as to offset the saturation of production in the

above-mentioned traditional areas.

*forecast

Source: UNA’s Compendio de Indicadores Económicos del Sector Avícola, 2017.

Main Egg Producing States in Mexico - 2016

Source: UNA’s Compendium of Economic Indicators of the Poultry Sector, 2017.

Avian influenza outbreaks continue to be a concern for most producers. The aforementioned vertical

integration along with implemented biosecurity measures, and expansion into other regions may

mitigate some of the risks of horizontal contamination.

Mexican Egg Production (MT)

2012 2,386,576

2013 2,509,350

2014 2,571,270

2015 2,637,581

2016 2,765,422

2017 2,798,209*

2018 2,882,156*

MX7034 Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production Page 11

Younger generations, such as Millennials, continue to build demand for “cage free” and “free range”

eggs as they relate to animal welfare. In Mexico, the “cage free” format is more attractive for producers

given that it can be done in closed facilities, while “free range” takes place in open spaces which are

potentially vulnerable to incursions of wild fowl and exposure to diseases. However, both of the above-

mentioned systems have higher production costs than traditional egg farming resulting in higher

consumer costs, which may limit their growth as the target market is relatively small.

Grains go to eggs

As previously mentioned in this report, the poultry sector is currently Mexico’s main consumer of

oilseed and grains as feed. The latest UNA data indicates that feed represents 63.4 percent of the cost of

production of eggs.

Source: UNA’s Compendio de Indicadores Económicos del Sector Avícola, 2017.

Currently, similarly to the broiler sector, the egg sector relies on imported genetics. Five predominant

genetic lines (Bovans, Hy line, Lohman, Hy Sex Brown, and Isa brown) are the pillars of production for

table eggs in Mexico.

Consumption

More eggs, please!

Mexico remains one if not the number one consumer of eggs worldwide. For 2018, industry expects per

capita consumption to rise to 23.6 kg as eggs continue to be (alongside poultry meat) one of the most

affordable sources of animal protein for the medium and low-income population. Preliminary figures

from UNA indicate that by the end of 2017 the per capita consumption is expected to be 23.3 kg.

Eggs are a common addition to breakfast dishes such as chilaquiles and huevos rancheros, as well as the

base for dishes such as huevos a la mexicana. Consumption is across economic status, dishes both

served at high end restaurants and low-cost street vendors, as well as consumed in the home.

MX7034 Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production Page 12

Brown/red eggs garner a premium

Although a small percentage of production (previously reported as 3-5 percent), the continued

perception of consumers that brown/red eggs have more protein and are of higher quality fuels prices.

Regardless, the vast majority of production and consumption in Mexico is of white eggs, as seen in both

standard super markets and wet markets.

Make that an egg white omelet

While the major destination for processed eggs and products is the bakery and confectionery sector (as

well as other food processes such as mayonnaise), consumer processed egg products continue to be on

the rise. In particular liquid eggs, whites, or yolks are marketed for easy (and perceived as healthy) food

preparation in the home and at restaurants.

Trade

Imports for table eggs in 2018 are forecast at 65,000 tons, in large part due to sustained demand from

processors in the bakery and confectionary industry. This is in part due to retail consumer preference for

orange-colored yolks (traditional under Mexican production) rather than yellow-yolks (as in U.S.

production), as well as the need for U.S. eggs to be refrigerated. Principal points of sale such as wet

markets, and many homes do not have refrigeration available.

As of June 2017, official data for both table eggs and egg products shows imports up by 6 percent at

31,901 tons MT from the same period in 2016, as the steady demand from processors for eggs and egg

product continues. Further, the importation of hatching eggs is expected to continue increasing. In

general, the imports of eggs and egg products is minor in comparison with domestic production.

U.S. eggs dominate imports

The U.S. market share has been steady over the past five years, and is expected to continue during the

remainders of 2017 and throughout 2018. In 2016, the United States held 99.1 percent of the market

share (including table eggs, egg products, and hatching eggs) in Mexico. Other imports (under 1 percent

total) came from Brazil, Argentina, New Zealand, Canada, Spain, and Italy. Of the imported eggs from

the United States, the majority are hatching eggs.

Mexican exports of eggs is minimal but growing

As previously reported, Mexico is looking to recover those markets that closed after the 2012 HPAI

outbreaks. Also, Mexico is looking to export eggs to the United States and Canada. In the meantime, as

of June 2017, Mexican exports to Japan have more than doubled compared to the same period of 2016.

Similarly exports to Cuba have increased by more than 500 percent during the same period. It is

expected in the short term that Japan and Cuba will remain the primary destination for Mexican eggs

and products.

MX7034 Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production Page 13

Policy

The norm (known as a NOM in Mexico) for eggs including sanitary requirements and testing methods is

expected to be updated soon as per PROY-NOM-159-SSA1-2015. This NOM was published for

comment in 2016, and is now pending publication of the final version. The goal of the NOM is to

address food safety provisions and regulations governing the production of eggs in Mexico. While this

NOM will likely apply to imported product, impact to imports of U.S. eggs is not foreseen.

MX7034 Poultry and Eggs are Pillars of Production Page 14

For More Information:

FAS/Mexico Web Site: We are available at www.mexico-usda.com.mx or visit the FAS headquarters'

home page at www.fas.usda.gov for a complete selection of FAS worldwide agricultural reporting.

Useful Mexican Web Sites:

Mexico's equivalent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (SAGARPA) can be found at

www.sagarpa.gob.mx , the equivalent to the U.S. Department of Commerce (SE) can be found at

www.economia.gob.mx and the equivalent to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (SALUD) can be

found at www.salud.gob.mx. These web sites are mentioned for the readers' convenience but USDA

does NOT in any way endorse, guarantee the accuracy of, or necessarily concur with, the information

contained on the mentioned sites.

Other Relevant Reports:

Report Number Subject

MX7008 Mexico Reacts to an HPAI outbreak in the United States

MX7002 Vertical Integration Bolsters the Mexican Poultry Industry